Well, while your at it, most people not only don't how to make a distress call, most don't know how to read your gps position off the chartplotter (or worse, off a chart), or where you are relative to other locations.

Consider who can tell the cg where you are if you can't make a call. Also don't forget to show someone the little red DSC button on your radio.

One other thing I carry in the ditch bag is a retractable VHF antenna. It pulls out to about 4 feet and can be lashed to an oar or fishing pole. It can add a lot of distance to the handheld's range. They are only about $20, not an expensive addition.